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Foster, Kinship, And Short-term Care

Start a Foster Care Resource Closet

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Description

Her Situation: 

Over 20,000 youth age out of foster care each year. Forty percent of these young adults experience homelessness, and many face challenges in maintaining work, pursuing an education, and finding a community. Less than half have received their high school diploma or GED, and only three percent having obtained a bachelor’s degree.  

Youth aging out of foster care often show up to an empty apartment with their only belongings in a trash bag. Unlike their peers going dorm shopping with their parents or receiving housewarming gifts from family, these young adults are starting out entirely on their own with nothing and no one to rely on. 

Carrying trauma from their childhood and a lack of a stable community surrounding them, their needs are great. But for each of these 20,000 youth, there is a church in their neighborhood that can step up and support them.

Overview

Her Community: 

In August of 2025, Memorial Baptist Church in Beckley, West Virginia opened the Bless This Home Closet serving young adults aging out of the foster care system. The closet is stocked with furniture, toasters, microwaves, paper products, cleaning products, and household goods — all the things you need when you move into a new place. All items are provided by members of the congregation who see the importance of walking alongside these young adults, showing them they’re not alone.  

Foster agencies and state workers refer aging-out youth to Memorial Baptist. Church staff members then schedule a time for items to be picked up. If specific items are needed that aren’t stocked in the resource closet, Memorial Baptist asks their congregation to step up and fill the need, whether it be furniture, small appliances, or household goods. This allows these young adults to start their lives on a stronger foundation and gives them a place to turn when they need help in the future.  

Not everyone can be a foster parent, but everyone can do something to support those impacted by foster care. Items being thrown away, donated to thrift stores, or newly purchased can fill an otherwise empty apartment and serve as a reminder that these young adults are not alone.   

The foundation of Memorial Baptist Church’s ministry is rooted in Scripture: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18). Prayerfully consider stepping into this Biblical call to serve orphans and support those in most need of a family to surround them. 

Key Benefits

  • Provide a stable foundation to youth aging-out of foster care
  • Give youth aging-out of foster care a community
  • Help youth aging-out of foster care navigate adulthood

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Steps to Complete

  1. 1

    Connect with local foster agencies or state workers.

    Ask them what their greatest needs are. There may be an organization already meeting furniture or clothing needs, but agencies may have urgent needs for appliances. The best people to ask are the people being served by your ministry! 

  2. 2

    Find space in your church.

    Ask your church leadership for a designated space. Is there an unused classroom or office that could be cleared out to store resources? Is there an existing resource closet that would be willing to split the space with you?  

  3. 3

    Ask for donations.

    Based on your conversation with the foster or state agency, you should have a good idea of what donations to ask for but a basic list includes: toasters, microwaves, kitchen utensils, pots and pans, paper products, cleaning products, home items, furniture, clothing. People may also prefer to donate financially instead of materially. 

    Make sure your congregation is invested in this ministry. Let them know the importance of this ministry and how they can donate from the pulpit, in the bulletin, and by tabling between services. You will need to continue to ask for donations throughout the lifetime of the ministry, but getting the church invested early will help individuals remember the resource closet when they are getting rid of household items and can turn to you instead of the thrift store or dumpster.  

  4. 4

    Collect and organize donations.

    You will keep collecting donations throughout the lifetime of your ministry so set yourself up for success by keeping the closet organized and items easily accessible.  

    Decide which individual or team will be responsible for collecting donations. Consider saving space in the church for individuals to drop off donations before the ministry team organizes them within the resource closet, so donations can be accepted without team members being present. 

  5. 5

    Raise awareness in your community.

    Connect with local foster agencies, state workers, and transitional housing programs so they can refer aging-out youth to your church. 

    Individuals looking for resources should contact the church who gathers their information on what items are needed and passes it to the ministry leader who will gather additional donations from the church if needed and coordinate a time for the individual to pick up the items.  

  6. 6

    List your ministry.

    Once your ministry launches, enroll to be listed on Her PLAN’s directory of life-affirming providers serving moms and strengthening the pro-life safety net.